This is what the Magi told King Herod when they came to Jerusalem looking for Jesus. The star that led them to Jerusalem, would later lead them to Bethlehem. These men had seen Jesus’ star and somehow knew that it was His, and that it signified His arrival as the King of the Jews.

Centuries before, an unlikely prophet uttered the following:

“I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near; A star shall come forth from Jacob, A scepter shall rise from Israel, And shall crush through the forehead of Moab, And tear down all the sons of Sheth” (Numbers 24:17).

This prophecy refers to its subject as the “star,” but also as king, when he says a scepter will rise in Israel. No wonder then that John was instructed to write in the Revelation: “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.” (22:16)

Jesus’ apostle Peter also wrote: “So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts” (2nd Peter 1:19)

So it is that a star led men to Jesus, who Himself is a star that arose as king, to reign not only as ruler of the universe, but as sovereign in our hearts as well.

Why a star? I cannot say, but God had it written into Genesis that He put stars in the heavens along with the “greater” and “lesser” lights (sun & moon) to give light on the earth (1:14-18). We generally think of stars as shining in the darkness of the night. Could there be a better analogy of Jesus’ impact and influence in our fallen world?

But our sun (the “greater light,” as God called it) is also a star and dominates the day. So Jesus can dominate our lives with the warm, life giving light of life when we allow Him to arise in our hearts as Peter wrote.

This season, as you see the beautiful Christmas lights displayed everywhere, remember to give place to the brightest star in your heart and mind, and then to shine forth doing good to all men and so become the lights He taught us to be.